Science: “Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void” by Mary Roach
Mystery: “The Beekeeper's Apprentice” by Laurie King (Sherlock Holmes gets an apprentice: the Mary Russell series)

Humor: “The Stench of Honolulu” by Jack Handy; “Dad is Fat” by Jim Gaffigan (perfect for new parents); “In a Sun-burned Country” by Bill Bryson; “Austenland” by Shannon Hale; “The Book of Awesome” by Neil Pasricha

Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Ernest Cline’s “Ready Player One;” “Redshirts” by John Scalzi (funny, good for Star Trek fans); “Steelheart” by Brandon Sanderson; The “Outlander” series by Diana Gabaldon, soon to be a BBC series; “The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss; “His Majesty's Dragon” by Naomi Novik; “Blackout/All Clear” by Connie Willis (time travel back to the London Blitz); Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher